I’ve had a few people just happy that the iPhone phone dropped to $99 (for 8GB) and are tempted to get that instead of the $199 model with more features (and 16 GB). They want to know if it’s really worth the $100 more.
Here’s why it’s worth it (and I’m not even going to point out the things that you think I will):
Just a few weeks ago there was $100 difference between the $199 (8 GB) and $299 (16 GB) iPhone 3g models and the only difference was 8GB of storage. Right now the $99 model is 8 GB and $199 is 16 GB so it’s the same $99 for 8 GB. The 8 GB iPod Touch (it’s an iPhone with no phone, no GPS, no camera, no microphone and lots of other stuff too) is $229 and you don’t get much at all! Here’s my countdown list on why to get the 3gs, please note that compass, video and better photos are the last three reasons, not the top three. This list is really for those who are making a purchase that think they don’t want the compass or better camera w/ video; this is not a reason to upgrade from the iPhone 3g, that’s expensive.
Here’s everything between the $99 iPhone 3g and the iPhone $199 3gs:
- 8 GB of storage (flash) memory – twice as much storage memory for apps and videos and music and audiobooks.
- 256 MB of RAM – twice as much memory for applications to run in (more efficiently which makes it seem faster).
- Faster Processor – The main processor is 50% faster and a faster graphics chip, Apple says this gives you up to twice the speed.
- Better battery life – For just about everything but phone calls and 3g network use.
- Faster network – This will utilize AT&T’s faster network (once it gets installed) which should improve battery life according to Apple.
- Oleophobic coating on screen – more fingerprint resistant (geeky oleophobic details from Bill Nye
- Photos – 3.2 MP with tap to focus (instead of 2 MP).
- Video Recording – This is new, not on the other models. You can directly upload to YouTube, MobileMe and (I assume) email to someone.
- Compass – Maps will orient the right way and I think people will come out with some cool applications utilizing this. I think thinking astronomy applications first, point at the sky and it identifies what you are viewing and offers links to more information or you ask it for a star or planet and it points it out for you (I predict this won’t take long at all, scroll down on this page to see this for G1); maybe even point out satellites as they travel across the sky. Then I’m counting on being at a national park or a big city and point my phone at something and it will supply all sorts of information about that landmark. See this page for a sample tourist image or imagine this (see video) but overlaid on top of live images of where you are. Or this interactive view of Wimbeldon.
Did I leave anything out? How far did you have to go down the list before you decided it was worth $99?
The first four are really the biggest value: Twice the storage, twice the memory (this will help), faster processor and better battery life!
Notes: I do understand that Apple is only charging $100 for 16 GB more memory in the $299, but since you don’t want to spend that much, we’re really not going go there.
